Malaysia In Do-Or-Die Mission Against Singapore In AFF Suzuki Cup

From Mazani Chan Yat Sin SINGAPORE, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and defending champions, Singapore will face off in their final Group B match in the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup championship to grab a semi-final berth at the National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub Saturday night. The Harimau Malaya (national squad) will need a win to qualify for the semi-finals while Singapore need just a draw. Malaysia are now perching precariously with one point after a goalless draw against Myanmar in the opening match on Sunday followed by a 2-3 defeat to Thailand on Wednesday. On the other hand, the hosts beat Myanmar 4-2 on Wednesday after losing 1-2 to Thailand on Sunday to collect three points. Past records on the two teams at this championship introduced in 1996 put them even with both having won three times each and draws in the other encounters. Harimau Malaya however will have to face the home crowd at their National Stadium. Nonetheless, a consolation for Malaysia is that Singapore will be without three key players in the match. Singapore will miss the service of Shahdan Sulaiman due to an ankle injury, Ismadi Mukhtar (hip injury) apart Baihakki Khaizan who is suspended for one match after collecting two yellow cards. For glory or for survival, Harimau Malaya Head Coach, Dollah Salleh and his boys will have to go all out as there is nothing to hold back. Dollah also believes striker Norshahrul Idlan Talaha will rediscover his scoring touch when they play against Singapore. He said Norshahrul will end his goal drought against a resilient Singapore a despite not being satisfied with the player's performance in the first two matches, against Myanmar and Thailand. "He found the artificial pitch at the Jalan Besar Stadium in two previous matches difficult but I'm confident that he will deliver something tomorrow (Saturday)," Dollah told reporters after attending the team managers meeting, here, Friday. Dollah added, he was aware about the Lions' strength despite the absence of three key players. "I believe Saturday's match will not be an easy for us as our opponents have strong support from their fans but we will give our best against Singapore," he said. Meanwhile, Singapore Head Coach, Bernd Stange has labelled Malaysia as among the side to watch for despite their inconsistent performance in the previous two matches. The 66-year old German also acknowledged that Saturday's match is very crucial for both sides who are looking for a semi-final place in the football tournament. "We only hope that the Singapore fans will pack the stadium and support our team and I'm quite excited about this match. "Hopefully, my players can perform well in front of our fans. As you all know, our team fully depends on local boys and not foreigners anymore ... We have a young team and I'm excited to see how they perform on Saturday," Stange said. Malaysia must win Saturday's match to have any hope of securing a place in the semi-finals whereas the Lions' only need a draw to move further. Thailand who have already confirmed their place in the last four after recording two straight wins against Singapore and Malaysia, will meet bottom side, Myanmar in another Group B match at the Jalan Besar Stadium. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA